RS4 (B5) or S4 (B6)

[sackers]

Hi guys ive been lurking around this site for a while, I thought its about time I post something!

Once my existing car has been sold, (an S3) ill be changing to something bigger. 2 kids and a three door dont mix well! my Dilemma is wether to go for a B5 RS4 something around the 20K mark. Or go for a B6 S4 which will obviously be newer. My heart says the RS4, my heads saying it may be better to get the S4 as it will be the newer car. Please bare in mind ill need to keep this car for about 5 years. I dont do that many miles a year, maybe 6K
Any ideas? or should I say convince me that the RS4 is the better choice...
Thanks guys

[mbelle]

Hi Sackers

Well, on one hand you've got a 2.7 V6 biturbo with 380Bhp, and the other a 4.2 V8 Naturally Aspirated with 340 Bhp... which do you think would be more fun!???
Then there's the mod'ing capabilities, providing that is something you wanted to do...?
Plus, the RS4 looks sooo much better and has more stance on the road with it's wideness

In my opinion, getting a B5 RS4 with ~20K on the clock would definately not give you any difficulty keeping it for 5 years, or even longer...

However, I can't speak for the B6 S4 but with the RS4, rear legroom could be an issue for you... I would like to have seen more, but I'm happy to comfort myself in thinking "it's enough for what I'd need to use it for" because the RS4 is truely an awesome car!

MB

[sackers]

thanks for the reply.
I would definitely want to mod the RS4 if thats what I got. I took my S3 to see Doug down at MRC and the difference there was amazing.
When i said 20K i was meaning the cost not the milage, i wish I could afford one thats only done 20K! Unfortunately it will be more like 80K on the clock, which I think may change things.
Never realised the rear leg room wasn't that good. Ill have to check on that.

[nickelvery]

That's a tough one. You are going to be limited by choice if you go for a B5 RS4 with such a low milleage and the leg room in the back of the B5 is a joke for an esate. I'm not sure what the leg room is like in the B6 S4.

Also the V8 sounds beautiful. It depends on if you are going to want to mod it as mbelle said, if so then the B5 is the obvious choice.

Good luck, keep us updated.

Nick

[sackers]

We took a look at a B7 3.0TDI at the weekend (to humor the wife!) the back had a lot of room, well our 4 year old was happy in there anyway. So id assume the B6 would be the same.

If I had the RS I would look to mod it but only as far as a remap, maybe a Miltek too.

I know what you guys mean about the V8 noise though. I was lucky enough to take a B7 RS4 out last year at an Audi open day, the smile on my face lasted for days, what a car! but what a price too

[mbelle]

thanks for the reply.
I would definitely want to mod the RS4 if thats what I got. I took my S3 to see Doug down at MRC and the difference there was amazing.
When i said 20K i was meaning the cost not the milage, i wish I could afford one thats only done 20K! Unfortunately it will be more like 80K on the clock, which I think may change things.
Never realised the rear leg room wasn't that good. Ill have to check on that.

For modd'ing, then def the RS4...

Sorry - got my wires crossed there...!

You def need to check the legroom - everyone will feel differently about; like I said, I'd like to see more, as nickelvery says, it is a joke for an estate and I myself would have liked to have seen more... but, I don't sit in the back and only rarely have others in the back

And thinking about it, that is probably the only thing I don't like about the car...

MB

[sackers]

How are these cars when they have high miles then? my cars at 89K and still feels new. Thats why id consider a high mile RS4. Is there anybody out there with high milers? is there any issues?

[TopBear]

Mines is on 81K miles and feels as tight as a drum.

[sackers]

Thats good to hear, you had it long?

[derdle]

Hiya,

Mines on 104k and still very good. There is one on about 160k (Tomson's I think??).

Have you posted silimar on the B6 forum? Cos coming here yo uwill probably get a slightly one sided opinion, although having said that, the above postings show the only potential shortcoming in the B5 RS4.

Whereabouts are you? You may be near to someone who can offer you a test drive/ride to help persuade you!

TBH, I have bought a Golf as a "holiday car" as my partner's Mother finds it difficult to get in and out of the back seat of the RS4, legroom is ok (she's not very tall) but she has trouble getting her leg with an artifical hip into the car properly..but guess your kids won't have that problem!

BTW - Welcome to the forum!

Paul

[derdle]

I think this will sell the idea of a B5 RS4 to you....just posted....

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ic&t=68078

Paul

[sackers]

Thanks derdle, posts like that do help make my mind up. I live in York, ive only ever seen one B5 around here, there seems to be a few B7's though.
Thankfully the kids hips are fine for getting in and out!

[derdle]

So..anyone in the York area willing to help sackers make up his mind?
.....

[Rs4Fan]

I'm too far from York, however I can confirm that the RS4 will probably depreciate less than the newer S4, is mechanically very sound (48k miles on mine with no problems) and is a great family car. I have two kids and rear leg room is not the issue, they just want to feel the boost. I'm an addict.

[sackers]

yeah i was thinking the depreciation would be better as the B5's have been around longer to take a hit. Good to hear that your kids have no problems with the space in the back.

I just need to sell mine so I can have a good look around, the only people responding are either 'specialist' agencies or what sound like dodgy foreign scammers. The joys of selling private I suppose.